Expanding agricultural exchange and cooperation across the Taiwan Straits conforms to the aspiration of the people from both sides of the straits.

Li Shuilin, chairman of the Cross-Straits Association for Exchanges in Economy and Trade, made the remark at a forum on experimental areas showcasing agricultural cooperation across the Taiwan Straits during the ongoing ninth China International Fair for Investment and Trade in Xiamen, a port city in east China's Fujian Province.

Relevant departments of the Chinese mainland have adopted a range of measures to promote agricultural cooperation between both sides of the straits, said Li.

For instance, the Chinese mainland authorities in August officially began implementing a zero-tariff plan to 15 kinds of fruits produced in Taiwan.

Yu Yongwei, director of Taiwan Affairs Office with the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture, said the Chinese mainland would step up cooperation and exchange with Taiwan in fields such as improved varieties of fruits, especially tropical ones, flowers, seed resources, and the advanced cultivation techniques.

In the meantime, Taiwan business people will be encouraged to make investments on the mainland in breeding quality aquatic products, rearing pigs, constructing breeding farms with sewage treatment facilities, said Yu, who is also head of the Cross-Straits Association for Exchange in Agriculture.

Cooperation in fields of technologies for processing livestock products, treatment of trash and sewage on breeding farms, testing residue of banned pollutants in livestock products and feedstuff, fodder processing, as well as expertise regarding development of additives and fodder marketing should be carried out, said Li.

He also voiced the hope that efforts will be made in the future to establish mechanisms concerning agricultural cooperation across the straits, for solving trade disputes via consulting and coordination, and for a free trade.

(Xinhua News Agency September 10, 2005)